I have been researching the lapband and rouxenY for a while. RouxenY is out of the question for me because I and my family are afraid of death. Besides this, I am twenty one years of age! Young, and I highly doubt that the staples will survive until I am 30. (much less 40,50, or however long that I hope to live)..

My story: I have ALWAYS been a big girl. I was tormented as a child, and in middle school and at 12 I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and Pre-Diabetes. Thats a scary thing, and embarrassing thing at twelve years old. I didnt want any doctor telling me about my menstration, and I didnt care about diabetes. I was eating donuts and chocolate milk everyday for lunch, and nothing mattered.

at this point I was prescribed glucophage to regulate my bloodsugar and bring my hormones back to normal. :phanvan

I remained between 240-220 throughout highschool, but through running and trackpractice and other whatnots, I was able to get down to close to 200 pounds by graduation. :straight

(I have been a vegetarian for 9 years as well, but often and always choosing the bad foods):straight:straight:straight

Come college, I was suffering from depression and anxiety. I was in a highstress environment because I was going through a very intensive music program at a conservatory. Through an even stricter vegan diet, and from overdoing things at the gym, I had lost 20 more pounds and gotten myself down to 180-182. I couldnt understand why I couldnt get a boyfriend. This was the thinnest I had ever been, and it was unhealthy. I was weak, my hair was coming out, and I was constantly exausted from overexercising, low self esteem and not getting enough food, and not any protein at all. :rolleyes

that very year I came down with a generative joint disease called rheumatoid arthritis/ or rheumatism.

I suffered.. boy oh boy did I suffer. Slowly, I couldnt walk, or do anything. I had to quit music, and redefine myself completely. I was completely depressed, however I had gained a boyfriend who didnt care at all about my weight. :clap2:

quickly I gained 60 pounds, and my rheumatologist made me go on prednisone for a while, and I my metabolism slowed to a crawl because I could not walk. Me knees got shot, I ended up having to have surgery on both elbow joints, my wrist lost the space between the bones, and my fingers swelled up. Ic ouldnt even bear a sheet on me at night, and when people accidently bumped into my swollen body I would scream bloody murder. this was 2004-2005.. i flunked several quarters at school, and i was just a mess.

although I am doing much better. I cannot stand for more than an hour or so at a time. i can no longer run because my left ankle needs surgery and physical therapy. my metabolism is terrible and even though i am eating normally, i still have issues with foods, and I still have been steadily putting on the weight.

that is my story. it is ridiculous.